A strong majority (60%) of the American public supports ending cannabis prohibition according to the most recent poll from Gallup. That is up from 44% in 2009 and and 36% in 2005. Recent polling also shows majority support specifically for ending cannabis prohibition in professional sports leagues. An poll of NFL players found that 71% of players think that medical cannabis should be legal in every state in America.

Support for reform (and the rest of society) is stronger than ever as these poll show. But support for full legalization is even higher (no pun intended) in sports media circles. The Big Lead conducted a survey involving members of sports media, and specifically asked them if they support legalization. Below are the results, via an excerpt from the article from The Big Lead:

The sports media is also more progressive than the general population on marijuana. 76.5 percent of respondents said marijuana should be legal. A Gallup poll pegs national support at 60 percent. Both groups trail TBL readers at 81 percent.

A 76.5% level of support is tremendously significant. It’s further evidence that professional sports leagues need to get on the right side of history. The fans want pro sports leagues to legalize it. Members of sports media want it. The players want it. So why aren’t league officials and team owners listening?

Cannabis has been found to be significantly safer than alcohol and pharmaceuticals, both of which are widely embraced by leagues. Leagues need to realize that cannabis reform is here to stay, and that more and more states are legalizing cannabis, including in states that have professional sports teams located in them. Below are NFL, NBA, and MLB teams located in states (and D.C.) that have voted to legalize cannabis for adult use: